Sandy Bastedo, project coordinator for the Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play grant through Cornell Cooperative Extension of Wayne County, organized the special trip for the children. Working with communities to promote activity and the benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables, Bastedo realized the new trail was an ideal way to spread her message. Since Newark teaches the history of the canal when students are in fourth grade, it all came together neatly.

Bastedo, with help from Kim Gardner, community nutrition educator for the grant, worked with the school district and coordinated plans for the students’ walk along the trail starting at the Dry Docks in Lyons. Each student will have their own Creating Healthy Places multi-colored kite Bastedo hopes the students will be able to fly the kites along the trail and at the ceremony.

Students will walk a portion of the trail and then be bused to the ceremony near Clinton Street. After the ceremony, they will talk about the history of the canal, and Wayne County Public Health members will talk to students about bicycle safety. The Apple Shed of Arcadia is providing apples and cider for the children.

It is Bastedo’s hope that the 180 children will tell their parents about the trail and use it regularly. She said she will be placing a sign at a spot along the trail, and families who return to that spot and take their picture can drop the photo off to the Cooperative Extenion office on Hydesville Road at Route 88 in Arcadia to get a trail pack.